The Acute Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching Exercises on Dynamic Balance Performance

Abstract

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching exercises on dynamic balance.Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven recreational athletes (33 males aged 20.5 ± 2.3 yrs) and 34 females aged 21.4 ± 3.0 yrs) were tested in three different protocols including the control condition, static stretching, and dynamic stretching exercises on three separate days, 48-72 h apart. Before and after each protocol, double limb dynamic balance was tested on an isokinetic balance system. Each protocol involved warm-up for 5 min using the bicycle ergometer at 50-60 rpm and 70 W. Stretching exercises were applied bilaterally on four different lower extremity muscle groups. For the control condition, after warm-up, subjects rested for 12 min and 45 s. The time period between the two dynamic balance measurements was equal for each protocol.Results: All three protocols positively affected dynamic balance performance (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between effects of protocols on dynamic balance (p>0.05).Conclusions: Static stretching after warm-up, dynamic stretching after warm-up, and warm-up alone have positive effect on dynamic balance. Static or dynamic stretching after warm-up do not potentiate positive effect of warm-up alone on dynamic balance.